Even the architecture sector has been adopting 3D printing at a steady rate, and if you were to go to a trade show tomorrow or commission a new house design at a reputable agency, chances are you are confronted with 3D printed models. It’s a fantastic trend that really lets potential homeowners, or people seeking to renovate historical structures, get to grips with the design and interact with it personally. However, one model maker is already taking this trend to the next level. Vinny Savoy of Relentless Designs is now offering augmented reality models, that combine 3D printed structures with a smartphone-based view of what the interior could look like.

Relentless Designs is one of those startups that was very quick to see the benefits of 3D printing, and especially for model making. They offer a variety of model making services, and specialize in physical models of cars, buildings and even structures with an incredible level of detail. But as owner Vinny reveals on his website, he is now also offering what he calls Physical Animated Models, models that combine 3D printing with the unfolding virtual reality technology. “Relentless Designs has taken a digital animation and embedded it to the physical model. Imagine that you have a product that people work on in real life and you want to demonstrate how they interact with the product. We can create a digital animation that will have people walking and working inside the physical model. The way you view this is by your phone or tablet!” he says.

Key in that process are smartphones and tablets that are able to scan the barcode that sits on the model. “When the special app on the device recognizes it, you will then be able to view a digital animation interacting with your physical model right there in the palm of your hands. This will give your customers a real time understanding of the “big picture” of your model,” he reveals. It’s an amazing gimmick that can add an extra dimension to designs and, importantly, can catch a client’s attention. “Use these custom models in business to business sales. Wow your customer when you bring a fully working model to them,” Vinny advises. “Tradeshow models are a must if you want to attract attention to your booth. These models will re-invent the trade show booth design that will have everyone talking about your products.”

What’s more, Vinny believes it has the potential to really add something to historical preservation efforts, as it allows specialists to see alterations before they damage something unique. To illustrate that, he has made a 3D printed replica of The Governor’s Mansion in Opelousas, which temporarily served as residence of the governor of Louisiana during the Civil War. The mansion is currently undergoing extensive renovation, and Vinny made a valuable contribution to these efforts through 3D printing.

Firstly, he created detailed drawings of the mansion, drawn to the standard of the Library of Congress H.A.B.S. Division and complete with important details such as elevations, floor plan and every door, window, column and so on. “They can be used to recreate the Historic Governor’s Mansion if ever needed,” he says.

He subsequently transformed these drawings into a physical 3D printed model, complete with every detail. “The model house is 100% 3D Printed in PLA plastic that is put together, smoothed, and painted to match the original design of the house. It is scaled down to 3% of the original size. It features the exact columns, original coupla, original front steps, and even exact window and door trim for every room,” Vinny writes on his website. As you can see in the clip below, this model works perfectly in combination with the augmented reality app. Could this be the future for architecture and renovation?